I was sad to see, as I drove by on my way to work, that after about two years and some odd months (maybe more), Da Blue Lagoon has closed up shop. The restaurant, once located at the intersection of 52nd and College, featured some very fine Caribbean food and an especially friendly atmosphere.

Their website is still up, and hopefully they will remain in business for catering, but no where else will I be able to have jerk chicken, festival rolls and fried plantains - all from a staff who loved their food and cared about their customers. Rest in peace Da Blue Lagoon.

We just got wind of this special Donatos is putting on: starting at 4:15 p.m. on April 15, the first 200 customers at each Indianapolis Donatos store can get a Hand Tossed pizza for just $4.15. You can also get a large cheese or pepperoni pizza for less than $5. Since my taxes have not yet been filed (doh!), I may be looking for an alternative to cooking on the 15th.

The Mayors Action Center is a sucking void - a black hole where all things go to die.

Trust me on this.

Saturday, I ignored the cold and decided to get some yard work in before the snow/rain/whatever passes-for-weather-nowadays started. Outfitted dutifully with headphones and a few layers of clothing, I was well into my work when out of the corner of my eye, I saw, what looked like, a pit bull bounding up from behind me.

PhotoTac is a photographic resource for fire and rescue squads, documenting real life runs. Here's some information from the website...

Welcome to PhotoTac.com, a place on the internet for Indiana firefighters and any other interested individuals to find their photographic documentation of Firefighting, Rescue, EMS, and Police.

My purpose is to bring positive exposure to these fields through hi-quality, professional photography as well as providing valid documentation of incidents, either for Arson or other important departmental needs.

Saturday there were the first tours of the new Colts' stadium for those of the citizenry who were not well-heeled enough to afford either to attend the $250 admission opening Gala the night before, or season tickets which got you into a more intimate tour the following day.

Target's actual grand opening is today, though they have actually been open since earlier this week. To celebrate Target's opening (and the general revitalization of the Mall) the Glendale Town Center had a block party yesterday.

So we've had some storms the last few weeks. These storms have had their accompanying damage... branches down, limbs lost, that sort of stuff. DPW was, for a time, picking up storm debris as long as it was: a.) bundled together with rope, and b.) cut to lengths of less than three feet.

Obviously this is a little bit of work. Not a lot, mind you, but certainly more than just piling limbs and crap in a big pile on the curb. So, of course, people in my Coffin Park neighborhood just piled branches and limbs on the side of the road.

Not surprisingly, DPW didn't pick any of it up. Just like they don't pick up the mattresses, recliners, or busted up ol' chiffarobes people put out, either. Now, with many things eventually the garbage scavengers will come in their rusty pick-ups and take junk like that. (They're like some sort of surprisingly effective carrion 'hood. Anything passably usable set on the curb is typically gone in a matter of minutes) But not even the least discriminating scavenger has a use for old limbs.

Apparently today, after the garbage robot ignored the limbs yet again, the brain trust apparently decided it was time to take action.

Now, what do we burn, apart from witches?... WOOD! So obviously the solution to having a large pile of storm debris wood on the curb spilling out into the road is to simply set it on fire! Problem solved!

So indeed, as I was returning to work from home this afternoon, there was a large bonfire encroaching on the road. Three individuals stood in their yard, admiring their handiwork, probably glad they had the foresight to pull their cars a good three or four lousy feet down the road in either direction so they wouldn't have to worry about, oh I don't know, their gas tanks exploding from the fact a giant fire is raging mere inches away!.

Marketeers and Wordsmiths may be interested in this press release that came across our inbox.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill invites consumers to help name a new, Carrabba’s-exclusive, limited-edition baby Super Tuscan wine debuting this fall from Ruffino. This is a fun opportunity for one winner to receive a $1,500 epicurean prize package including:

A case of the exclusive Ruffino wine
A catered 2008 holiday celebration for 12
A year’s worth of Carrabba’s dinners in 2009

This bit of news made me do a double take upon opening my regularly scheduled newsletter from Radio Radio: On May 21st, 2008, Pete Best will be at Radio Radio performing with The Pete Best Band. Here's a chance for any rock aficionado to watch one of the founders of rock 'n' roll in a very intimate setting that simply should not be missed.

Local staples Bigger Than Elvis will open the night and tickets are only $10 in advance.

The Marion County Public Library booksale continues through this week-end, with Friday being the half-price sale day and Saturday being the "$5 For A Bag Of Books" day. Even without these great deals, prices start at $1 for a book, so there's no reason not to do a little browsing.

Slashdot is reporting that GenCon is filing for Chapter 11. For those who don't know, GenCon is a multi-day games exposition convention, where industry giants set up shop to display their wares and hundreds upon thousands of gaming enthusiasts gather to experience the latest role-playing, card and video games. GenCon is held in several cities through out the year, and for the past several, it has made a home in Indy.

And we all know that ginormous conventions mean ginormous revenue for the city. Downtown businesses prosper, jobs become available and everyone wins. While the early word is that this move will not affect the convention for its stay in Indy during August of 2008, it certainly bodes ill for future years. We'll have to see how this particular game plays out.

After several years at its Broad Ripple location, Sunflower Market will be closing up shop in February. However, it's not just this particular location, it's the whole chain.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/01/28/daily11.html

A company spokeswoman said that the division did not meet the company's goals. Supervalu had planned to expand the stores nationally as a competitor to larger organic chains like Whole Foods and Wild Oats.

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7787557

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Sunflower Market is closing its chain of grocery stores including its location in Broad Ripple.

The stores are known for their organic foods but Officials say it could not compete with other organic stores.

I was inspired to finally make the trip by a friend. She has developed the habit of taking out-of-town guests to the restaurant at Trader's Point Creamery. Like Shapiro's or the Brickyard, it is a unique Central Indiana experience - something you can't find everywhere.

My first thought was "you've got to be kidding me". It's hard to believe, that these works of art are indeed paper. And not just paper, but paper snowflakes. Yes - paper snowflakes.

Ryan Hoffar, one of Indy's own, possesses the unique talent of taking the old snowy-day afternoon kindergarten art class project of making a paper snowflake and turns it into intricate abstract designs, motifs and even silhouette images. Instead of the traditional scissors, Ryan switched to using razor blades, but the effect is stunning nonetheless.

You can see (and purchase) some of Ryans incredible work on his website.